04.09.08

Tray 3 - attachments

Posted in Uncategorized at 12:46 pm by admin

I knew this was coming - the attachment day. I greeted my dentist with some anticipation. I had no idea how the fixtures about to be stuck on my teeth would look / feel / change the feel of the trays etc. However, I was equally keen to get moving on this step as I felt my teeth were not likely to move in a plastic tray alone.

I’ve not really talked about my dentist. If I’m honest my previous dentist appeared a lot more thorough (intense best describes his manner) and far more concerned with the health of my teeth and gums than the actual look of them. In fact, I often felt he completed procedures I didn’t even really need but I haven’t studied dentistry I’m probably not the best judge. My new guy perhaps is heading off the opposite way at times and I was really glad he suggested a clean next time I’m in. I was going to ask anyway as I can see they have lost quite a bit of their whiteness (despite the incessant brushing). Discolouration is apparently a side effect of wearing the trays.

The idea of these attachments is to help the teeth move with the tray, they give some resistance for the moulds to pull against. They can pull off and be re-attached throughout the treatment, but in theory they should be there throughout. So it’s good to start getting used to them now. After several weeks of wearing Invisalign I’m impatient to get moving on the process and start to see some results. Although recalling my Invisalign video demo I still feel I have some way to go before they begin looking better not worse.

He starts prepping the top teeth which will have the attachments fitted (while chatting about his lively weekend away - it reminds me of being at a hair salon; I’m expecting a query on my next holiday soon). I’m told the attachments will be really white and bright. I’m not entirely convinced this is a good thing but I’ve already decided to spend the money on straightening my teeth. Now is really not the time to start complaining about a few tiny white squares.

The whole process to complete the fixtures being glued to my top teeth (I have 4 attachments in total) takes around 15mins - this includes some filing which softens the edges to make them easier to remove from the trays. My new tray is then tested, and there is a significant difference in the feel. It’s much tighter and I can feel an ache in my top jaw. He gives me a break while he sorts out another issue. Within minutes I’m used to it and it feels barely different to my old tray. I actually expected more drama. Getting the tray off however did make me panic slightly, it really won’t budge at all. I’m asked ‘have you had lunch already?’. Lucky for me I had, as I’m advised to wait a few hours before attempting to remove it again. I’m assured they normally loosen up throughout the day.

I’m sincerely hoping this is the case because I can literally not get it out in the dentist chair with my fingernails alone. Try a key or something my dentist suggests? A key in my mouth.. I’m pretty dubious about this idea and know for a fact I won’t be trying it unless desperate.

Next is my lower set which he decides can wait - I’m not sure if he’s as pressed for time as he appears but whatever I already have one tray that may be a nightmare to remove later so I’m not exactly too worried in waiting until next time. I’m here every couple of weeks right now anyway! Also I’m promised the clean next time, so all is good. I’m sent away to try and live with my new trays.

I can feel the fixtures behind my top lip, after about a week I had an ulcer forming on one side where it permanently catches the skin. This does eventually subside thankfully. Getting the trays out with the fixtures on is reqally tricky the first couple of times but I do eventually manage it as I’m not great at starving myself! I can manage it with just my fingernails and one side is far easier to start with than the other, you can sort of ease the tray off one side at a time then pull it right out. One point about my nails - I do have long nails, not ridiculous impossible to work with long nails but I like to keep them looking good and to date I’ve never broken any on the trays so it’s all good!

The attachments feel strange in my mouth when the trays are removed to eat. But because they have been rounded off I don’t feel it’s impossible to live with and they seem to be staying in place which I assume is a good thing.

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